Grantmaking foundations and place-based leadership: the opportunities and challenges of relational philanthropy within place

Accompanying a strong interest in, and emphasis on, place-based philanthropy across UK-based foundations, their networks, associations, and relevant infrastructure and support organisations, there is a growing recognition and acknowledgement of the complexities, trade-offs and challenges associated with undertaking a place-based approach. Adopting the lens of place-based leadership, this chapter uses the case of the Rank Foundation to critically examine their approaching to engaging with place from both a grantmaker and a grantee perspective. The chapter reviews the potential role of relational philanthropy within place-based approaches to grantmaking and raises questions of philanthropy’s role and potential in community development.